Random facts:
~Families were given rationing coupons to buy things like clothing and food. These were per-person, so hand-me-downs became really popular. Things were worn until they couldn't be mended anymore. Families would pass clothing between them to make sure that their families could eat.
~Overalls weren't rationed, so they started to become a staple with families for their children. They were rugged and didn't need as much mending as other fabric clothing.
~Clothing was more for practical sense rather than fashion.
~Tailored suits become more popular for women as they entered the workforce
~Women's stocking were rationed during the war, so many women would paint their legs a slightly darker tone and use liquid eyeliner to draw the back seam up their leg to give the appearance of wearing stockings.
~Many women would use what was left at home from the boys and retailor them to fit them (slimline pants, button up blouses)
~Very little embellishment. Clothing was cut to the body and cut to the knee to help save on fabric. Zippers and buttons were reused as many times as possible from garment to garment due to rationing.
~Browns and greens were used to military uniforms so deep maroon, gray, white, or beige fabrics became popular. Anything that didnt' need brown or green dye to create.
~Men wore a "victory suit (no rolled cuff, no sleeve button, no patch pocket, shorter jacket, narrower trouser)" instead of the popular "zoot suit (wide trousers, long wide jacket)" that mobsters and musicians wore.
~Waistcoats and vests were abandoned for double breasted jackets
~Shoulder pads started showing up in women's jackets
~Designers of the 1940s: Edith Head, Oleg Cassini, Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Madelaine Vionnet, and Coco Chanel.
Girls:
Wool was limited and artificial fibers (rayon, viscose, etc.) increased. Gingham dresses (to the knee) were pretty popular since they saved on material. Usually they had white ruffles. Trousers were becoming popular as well since women were wearing them in the factories as well as movie stars.
Skirts and pants featured elastic waistbands that could fit a variety of sizes since rubber was rationed
Scholastic Dolls for early 1940s
Boys:
Disappearance of knickers as the war went on. Young boys would wear sailor suits. Jeans started becoming more popular as well as t-shirt style. These t-shirts were usually brightly colored with horizontal stripes. Many boys would wear the stereotypical "newsies" cap while girls would wear the sailor cap or a felt beret. Button up shirts were seen as something for school only, but many would still wear them all day due to rationing.
